Tony Knowles on Civil Rights

2004 former Democratic Challenger for Senate (AK; previously served as Governor)

Marriage definition should be by states, not US Constitution

News-Miner: Do you think it is discriminatory to deny same-sex couples access to marriage?

Knowles: I believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman and while I was governor, Alaskans voted to define marriage as such. I oppose amending the U.S. Constitution along these lines since federal amendments should guarantee our rights, not limit them. Additionally, the 10th Amendment clearly gives states the responsibility to decide such matters and Alaskans have spoken.

Source: Q&A by Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Aug 1, 2004

Oppose the Patriot Act-it undermines freedoms

Knowles believes that, unfortunately, the PATRIOT Act is being used to undermine the very freedoms it was designed to protect. Knowles strongly believes that we need to control the federal government from investigating individuals without notice or proper cause. Knowles agrees with the Alaska state legislature's resolution "enforcing the protection of individual liberties for all Alaskans in the face of intrusive federal actions taken since 9/11." Source: Campaign website, TonyKnowles.com Jun 30, 2004

Support principles embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment.

Knowles adopted the National Governors Association policy:

In 1976 the National Governors Association expressed support for ratification and implementation of the Equal Rights Amendment, which would constitutionally guarantee full citizenship rights and opportunities for women. In 1982 the drive for ratification fell short, and efforts to initiate the amendatory process were taken.

The National Governors Association reaffirms its support for the principles embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment, i.e., that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on the basis of gender.

Source: NGA Executive Committee Policy EC-14: Equal Rights Policy 01-NGA1 on Feb 15, 2001

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*Other governors on Civil Rights:*		*Tony Knowles on other issues:*
AK Frank Murkowski AL Bob Riley AR Mike Huckabee AZ Janet Napolitano CA Arnold Schwarzenegger CO Bill Owens CT Jodi Rell DE Ruth Ann Minner FL Jeb Bush GA Sonny Perdue HI Linda Lingle IA Tom Vilsack ID Dirk Kempthorne IL Rod Blagojevich IN Mitch Daniels KS Kathleen Sebelius KY Ernie Fletcher LA Kathleen Blanco MA Mitt Romney MD Bob Ehrlich ME John Baldacci MI Jennifer Granholm MN Tim Pawlenty MO Matt Blunt MS Haley Barbour	MT Brian Schweitzer NC Mike Easley ND John Hoeven NE Dave Heineman NH John Lynch NJ Jon Corzine NM Bill Richardson NV Kenny Guinn NY George Pataki OH Bob Taft OK Brad Henry OR Ted Kulongoski PA Ed Rendell RI Don Carcieri SC Mark Sanford SD Mike Rounds TN Phil Bredesen TX Rick Perry UT Jon Huntsman VA Tim Kaine VT Jim Douglas WA Christine Gregoire WI Jim Doyle WV Joe Manchin III WY Dave Freudenthal	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty